BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (WAFB/Gray News) – A mother says her 20-year-old son was killed during a custody dispute.
According to investigators, three people are accused of planning the murder of Steven Harris while he was in a custody battle with the mother of his child.
“His death was staged,” said his mother, LaSonia Harris.
LaSonia Harris said her son was picked up from her home by an unknown car on July 17. That was the last time he was seen alive.
A few days later, a body with multiple gunshot wounds was found in Wilkinson County, Mississippi, believed to be Steven Harris.
West Feliciana Parish officers arrested Derek Hollins, Jr., Calajia Jack and Allyah Martin.
LaSonia Harris said she felt a variety of emotions.
“I'm devastated by the loss of my son. The circumstances in which I lost my son. I'm confused why it had to come to this. I'm hurt because I felt like this was a deliberate attempt to hurt me and my family, and I'm angry because it was unnecessary,” she said.
Investigators said Steven Harris and Allyah Martin had a custody battle over their son. LaSonia Harris believes this is the reason her son was murdered.
“It is absolutely clear that he was set up,” she said.
The sheriff said Steven Harris was well known in the community and knew the other two people accused of murdering him.
“We want to make sure justice is done for the victim and his family,” said Sheriff Brian Spillman.
Spillman said Hollins admitted that the gun used in the murder was his.
LaSonia Harris wants to remember her son.
“My son was a typical 20-year-old college student. A lover of HBCU music who played an instrument for 10 years. My son was the most generous, talented and loyal friend you could imagine,” she said.
LaSonia Harris said her grandson was with her and her husband.
The family is awaiting positive identification and autopsy of Steven Harris' body before transporting it to Louisiana for burial.
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